Long term results after transpupillary thermotherapy in eyes with occult choroidal neovascularisation associated with age related macular degeneration: a prospective trial.

Abstract

AIM:

To evaluate long term results after transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in eyes with exudative age related macular degeneration.

METHODS:

In a prospective clinical study eyes with occult or predominantly occult choroidal neovascularisation and no pretreatment were scheduled to have a TTT with a power of 630 mW. Visual acuity for far and near distances as well as contrast sensitivity were evaluated 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively and statistically analysed.

RESULTS:

47 eyes fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overall, 70% of the patients showed an improved (14%) or had unchanged (56%) ETDRS vision after 24 months. Reading vision was stabilised (51%) or better (5%) in 56% of the eyes at this time. However, the increasing number of eyes with severe deterioration resulted in a significant decrease of both parameters over time (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0003, respectively). Contrast sensitivity could be maintained (70%) or improved (9%) in 79%. Statistical analyses indicated a trend but no significant decrease over time (p = 0.056).

CONCLUSION:

Although in the majority of patients far and near distance acuity could be stabilised on average a significant decrease over time after TTT was observed. Statistical comparison of months 12 and 24 showed no further deterioration.

• Authors: U Stolba, I Krebs, P D Lamar, T Aggermann, D Gruber, S Binder
• Journal: The British journal of ophthalmology (Br J Ophthalmol) Vol. 90 Issue 2 Pg. 158-61 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 0007-1161 [Print] England
• PMID: 16424525 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Tretoquinol

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Angiography (methods)
• Choroid (blood supply, diagnostic imaging)
• Choroidal Neovascularization (complications, physiopathology, therapy)
• Contrast Sensitivity (physiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Hyperthermia, Induced (methods)
• Macular Degeneration (complications, physiopathology, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Reading
• Regression Analysis
• Tretoquinol
• Visual Acuity (physiology)